Stepping into God's Presence
Stepping into God's Promise: Lessons from the Jordan's Edge
There are moments in life when we find ourselves standing on the threshold of something new. We can see the promise ahead, but we haven't quite stepped into it yet. These "threshold moments" are sacred spaces where God invites us to pause, prepare our hearts, and trust Him as we move forward.
The story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River provides a powerful illustration of how to navigate these pivotal times. After years of wandering in the wilderness, they finally stood at the edge of the Promised Land. The journey behind them was marked by miracles, provision, and challenges. The future before them held the fulfillment of God's promises. But first, they had to cross the Jordan.
This biblical account offers three crucial lessons for those of us facing our own threshold moments:
1. Consecrate Yourself for Tomorrow
Before the Israelites could step into their promise, Joshua gave them a clear instruction: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you" (Joshua 3:5). This call to consecration wasn't about sharpening swords or devising battle plans. It was about preparing their hearts.
Consecration is like cleaning your house before welcoming honored guests. It's about creating space for God's presence and power to dwell. It involves asking hard questions: "Lord, is there anything in me that doesn't belong? Are there areas where I need to repent, forgive, or surrender?"
When we stand on the cusp of God's promises, our first step should be inward. Before we can experience the "amazing things" God wants to do through us, He often wants to do a deep work within us. Consecration sets the stage for miracles.
2. Step Into the Waters by Faith
Once the Israelites consecrated themselves, God gave them their next instruction – to step into the Jordan River. Here's the catch: the waters didn't part until the priests' feet touched the water (Joshua 3:13). God could have made it easy by parting the river first, but He required them to move in faith before He moved in power.
This principle still holds true today. Faith often looks risky before it looks obvious. It's like walking into a dark room – you can't see clearly until you take that first step and reach for the light switch. Or consider a parent teaching a child to swim. The water feels uncertain, but it's only when the child steps off the edge that they discover strong arms holding them up.
God rarely shows us the entire picture upfront. He calls us to step forward, trusting that His power will meet us when our obedience meets the moment. Stepping into the waters might mean serving in a new area even when we feel unqualified, giving sacrificially when finances are tight, or inviting a neighbor to church despite our uncertainty about their response.
The beautiful truth is this: God doesn't ask us to have it all figured out. He simply asks us to step in. And when we do, He proves Himself faithful every single time.
3. Remember the Lord's Faithfulness
After the miraculous crossing, Joshua instructed the Israelites to do something unusual: take twelve stones from the middle of the river and set them up as a memorial (Joshua 4:1-7). Why? Because God knew how quickly people forget.
These stones weren't just rocks; they were testimonies. Each one declared, "God brought us through." Every time a child would point to them and ask about their significance, parents had the opportunity to recount God's faithfulness.
In our own lives, we need these "memorial stones" – not necessarily physical ones, but spiritual markers that remind us of God's goodness. These could be stories of answered prayers, moments of unexpected provision, or seasons where God carried us when we couldn't move forward on our own.
Psalm 126:3 beautifully captures this sentiment: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." By intentionally remembering and sharing these testimonies, we not only anchor our own faith but also pass on a legacy of trust in God to future generations.
Crossing Our Own Jordan
Today, many of us stand at our own Jordan River. Perhaps you're on the brink of a new career, a major life transition, or a leap of faith in ministry. The promise is visible, but the path forward may seem daunting or unclear.
As you face your own threshold moment, consider these questions:
1. How can you consecrate yourself? What areas of your life need to be surrendered or purified as you prepare for what God wants to do?
2. Where is God calling you to "step into the waters" by faith? What bold move of obedience might He be asking of you?
3. What "memorial stones" can you identify in your own journey with God? How can you more intentionally remember and share His faithfulness?
Remember, the same God who parted the Jordan for Israel is the same God who goes before you today. He doesn't just make promises; He fulfills them. But He often invites us to participate in the process through consecration, faith-filled action, and grateful remembrance.
As you stand at your own threshold, may you find the courage to consecrate yourself, the faith to step forward, and the wisdom to remember God's faithfulness. For it's in these moments of trusting obedience that we often discover the most profound miracles – not just around us, but within us.
The promise awaits. It's time to cross over.
Blessings,
Jay
There are moments in life when we find ourselves standing on the threshold of something new. We can see the promise ahead, but we haven't quite stepped into it yet. These "threshold moments" are sacred spaces where God invites us to pause, prepare our hearts, and trust Him as we move forward.
The story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River provides a powerful illustration of how to navigate these pivotal times. After years of wandering in the wilderness, they finally stood at the edge of the Promised Land. The journey behind them was marked by miracles, provision, and challenges. The future before them held the fulfillment of God's promises. But first, they had to cross the Jordan.
This biblical account offers three crucial lessons for those of us facing our own threshold moments:
1. Consecrate Yourself for Tomorrow
Before the Israelites could step into their promise, Joshua gave them a clear instruction: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you" (Joshua 3:5). This call to consecration wasn't about sharpening swords or devising battle plans. It was about preparing their hearts.
Consecration is like cleaning your house before welcoming honored guests. It's about creating space for God's presence and power to dwell. It involves asking hard questions: "Lord, is there anything in me that doesn't belong? Are there areas where I need to repent, forgive, or surrender?"
When we stand on the cusp of God's promises, our first step should be inward. Before we can experience the "amazing things" God wants to do through us, He often wants to do a deep work within us. Consecration sets the stage for miracles.
2. Step Into the Waters by Faith
Once the Israelites consecrated themselves, God gave them their next instruction – to step into the Jordan River. Here's the catch: the waters didn't part until the priests' feet touched the water (Joshua 3:13). God could have made it easy by parting the river first, but He required them to move in faith before He moved in power.
This principle still holds true today. Faith often looks risky before it looks obvious. It's like walking into a dark room – you can't see clearly until you take that first step and reach for the light switch. Or consider a parent teaching a child to swim. The water feels uncertain, but it's only when the child steps off the edge that they discover strong arms holding them up.
God rarely shows us the entire picture upfront. He calls us to step forward, trusting that His power will meet us when our obedience meets the moment. Stepping into the waters might mean serving in a new area even when we feel unqualified, giving sacrificially when finances are tight, or inviting a neighbor to church despite our uncertainty about their response.
The beautiful truth is this: God doesn't ask us to have it all figured out. He simply asks us to step in. And when we do, He proves Himself faithful every single time.
3. Remember the Lord's Faithfulness
After the miraculous crossing, Joshua instructed the Israelites to do something unusual: take twelve stones from the middle of the river and set them up as a memorial (Joshua 4:1-7). Why? Because God knew how quickly people forget.
These stones weren't just rocks; they were testimonies. Each one declared, "God brought us through." Every time a child would point to them and ask about their significance, parents had the opportunity to recount God's faithfulness.
In our own lives, we need these "memorial stones" – not necessarily physical ones, but spiritual markers that remind us of God's goodness. These could be stories of answered prayers, moments of unexpected provision, or seasons where God carried us when we couldn't move forward on our own.
Psalm 126:3 beautifully captures this sentiment: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." By intentionally remembering and sharing these testimonies, we not only anchor our own faith but also pass on a legacy of trust in God to future generations.
Crossing Our Own Jordan
Today, many of us stand at our own Jordan River. Perhaps you're on the brink of a new career, a major life transition, or a leap of faith in ministry. The promise is visible, but the path forward may seem daunting or unclear.
As you face your own threshold moment, consider these questions:
1. How can you consecrate yourself? What areas of your life need to be surrendered or purified as you prepare for what God wants to do?
2. Where is God calling you to "step into the waters" by faith? What bold move of obedience might He be asking of you?
3. What "memorial stones" can you identify in your own journey with God? How can you more intentionally remember and share His faithfulness?
Remember, the same God who parted the Jordan for Israel is the same God who goes before you today. He doesn't just make promises; He fulfills them. But He often invites us to participate in the process through consecration, faith-filled action, and grateful remembrance.
As you stand at your own threshold, may you find the courage to consecrate yourself, the faith to step forward, and the wisdom to remember God's faithfulness. For it's in these moments of trusting obedience that we often discover the most profound miracles – not just around us, but within us.
The promise awaits. It's time to cross over.
Blessings,
Jay
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